Grants Awarded To Enrich City Life

NEW BRITAIN — The city's largest philanthropic organization has awarded a series of grants totaling nearly $83,000 to support programs aimed at enriching city life.

The New Britain Foundation for Public Giving gave $30,000 to the New Britain Symphony for four concerts this year and next, and for the hiring of a part-time executive director.

The symphony had faced raising ticket prices or curtailing its concert schedule to balance its budget, according to a news release from the foundation.

Vision New Britain was awarded $25,000 to support three initiatives: the hiring and training of city guides to act as helpful, street-level resources; a series of local forums on economic-development, arts, government, and education; and a telephone line to promote local events and public meetings.

Literacy Volunteers of New Britain received $25,000 to significantly expand its reach and turn the the coordinator's position into a full- time job.

``There's a growing demand for help in acquiring basic language skills needed to navigate everyday life,'' said Laura Cohen, the program's executive director.

The Connecticut Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and the area's advisory group to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women received small grants .